Plum, Chickasaw - Prunus angustifolia

At Native Forest Nursery we grow bare root seedlings and #3 container trees. Our
container trees are grown in a #3 air pruned pot. This root making container
eliminates nearly all potential for root wrapping. This allows for an excellent
root structure and delivers an extremely healthy tree. The bare root seedlings at
our nursery are grown in a sandy loam soil with high organic matter content, which
provides an extremely healthy environment for our seedlings. Our bare root liners and
seedlings are hand lifted, packaged, and kept in cold storage until you are ready to
plant. Conservation uses for our products include reclamation, mitigation,
reforestation, restoration, wildlife habitat improvement and wetland uses.
Horticultural uses for our products include field liners, container liners, landscape
plantings, budding stock, grafting stock and ornamental uses.

Family:

Rosaceae

Latin Name:

Prunus angustifolia

Foliage:

Bright green

Fall Foliage:

Yellow to red

Bloom:

White

Bloom Time:

March

Shape:

Broad and spreading

Bark:

Dark reddish-brown

Sun:

Full sun to part shade

Zone:

Zone 5 to Zone 9

Size:

20 to 4 feet

Spread:

20 to 4 feet

Care:

Medium, well drained soil

Prunus Angustifolia was originally cultivated in the uplands of southeastern and south central United States by Native American tribes, long before the first European settlers set foot on American soil. Today, isolated populations of this tree have been documented as far as California and Michigan, but it is actually listed as an endangered species in the state of New Jersey. Commonly known as the Chickasaw Plum, this specimen is also referred to as “Cherokee Plum”, “Mountain Cherry”, “Florida Sand Plum”, and “Sandhill Plum”, and is a member of the Rosaceae family. The Chickasaw Plum is easily cultivated as a shrub, reaching modest heights of 4-20 ft. with a respective span. With a 5-9 hardiness zone rating, it thrives best with full sun to partial shade and when planted in medium, well-drained soils.

The Chickasaw Plum has a “twiggy” demeanor and a broad spread, characterized by its dense thorny branches and its dark reddish-brown bark. Due to its excessive suckering habit, the Chickasaw can form extensive thickets and may become a pioneering plant. Its leaves are simple, trough-shaped, and bright green, darkening to fiery shades of red and gold in the autumn. In March, aromatic snow-white blossoms festoon the tree, usually five-petaled with coppery anthers. These later give way to the Chickasaw Plum’s lush fruit which ripens in late summer. Tartly flavored until well ripened, these plums are very attractive to a variety of songbirds and other wildlife. They are typically reddish-orange, becoming more yellow as they ripen, and are edible straight off the tree. They can also be made into delicious jams, jellies, desserts, and preserves.

Fruitful and beautiful, the Chickasaw Plum is an exquisite little addition to any yard or landscape. It is drought-tolerant and low-maintenance. Due to its attractive foliage and flowers, small leaves, and dense thin branches, this tree can even serve as a bonsai specimen.